Wall mountable connector with wall covering plate

ABSTRACT

A wall mountable connector assembly with an optional wall covering plate is disclosed. The wall mountable connector provides electrical connections to each of a plurality of field wires and is configured to provide electrical connections to a thermostat secured to the wall mountable connector. The optional wall covering plate is configured to fit over the wall mountable connector and provide a pleasing appearance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to Heating, Ventilation, and/or AirConditioning (HVAC) systems. More particularly, the present disclosurepertains to HVAC controllers, such as thermostats, and devices formounting such HVAC controllers to a wall.

BACKGROUND

Heating, Ventilation, and/or Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are oftenused to control the comfort level within a building or other structure.Such HVAC systems typically include an HVAC controller that controlsvarious HVAC components of the HVAC system in order to affect and/orcontrol one or more environmental conditions within the building. Inmany cases, the HVAC controller is mounted to an internal wall of thebuilding and provides control signals to various HVAC components of theHVAC system, sometimes via a number of control wires that extend throughthe wall. In some cases, the HVAC controller includes an HVAC controllerhead unit and a wall plate. During installation, the wall plate istypically mounted to an internal wall of the building, and the HVACcontroller head unit is removably mounted to the wall plate.Improvements in the hardware, user experience, and functionality of suchHVAC controllers would be desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure pertains generally to a wall mountable connectorassembly with an optional wall covering plate. The wall mountableconnector is configured to provide an electrical connections to each ofa plurality of field wires and is configured to provide electricalconnections to a thermostat secured to the wall mountable connector. Theoptional wall covering plate is configured to fit over the wallmountable connector and provide a pleasing appearance by covering wallblemishes or the like.

In a particular example of the present disclosure, a wall mountableconnector assembly includes an adapter plate that is configured to besecured relative to a wall and to accommodate a plurality of field wiresexiting the wall. A wall mountable connector may have a first sidefacing the wall and a second opposing side. The wall mountable connectormay be configured to be secured to the adapter plate with the first sideof the wall mountable connector positioned adjacent the adapter plate.In some cases, the wall mountable connector may include a field wiringconnection block that is configured to provide an electrical connectionto the plurality of field wires and a thermostat terminal block that isconfigured to provide an electrical connection to a thermostat to beconnected to the wall mountable connector. A wall covering plate mayinclude a wall mountable connector aperture that is sized to allow thewall covering plate to be slipped over the second opposing side of thewall mountable connector and down to the adapter plate, wherein the wallcovering plate may be configured to be secured to the adapter plate.

In another example of the present disclosure, a wall covering plate maybe used in combination with a wall mountable connector that is mountableto an adapter plate. The wall covering plate may be configured to fitbehind a thermostat that is connectable to the wall mountable connectorand to cover wall blemishes from previous thermostat installations. Thewall covering plate may include a back portion that is sized andconfigured to fit over an adapter plate such that an outer perimeter ofthe back portion hides the adapter plate from view and a front portionthat includes a thermostat recess sized and configured to accommodate atleast part of an outline of the thermostat to be connected to the wallmountable connector such that the thermostat fits into the thermostatrecess in the front portion of the wall covering plate. A wall mountableconnector aperture is formed through the wall covering plate and extendsthrough the front portion and the back portion and is sized andconfigured to accommodate the wall mountable connector extending throughthe wall mountable connector aperture such that the wall covering platecan be secured relative to the wall mountable connector even after thewall mountable connector has been installed on the wall.

In some cases, the back portion of the wall covering plate includes tabsthat are configured to fit into corresponding slots disposed on eitherside of the adapter plate in order to secure the wall covering plate tothe adapter plate. In some cases, the wall mountable connector apertureprovides a frictional fit with the wall mountable connector in order tosecure the wall covering plate in position against the wall. In someinstances, an adapter plate is not used, and the wall covering plate issecured in position against the wall at least in part by virtue of beingcaptured between the wall and a back of the thermostat that is securedto the wall mountable connector, by adhesively securing the wallcovering plate to the wall, or by friction fitting the wall coveringplate to the wall mountable connector itself.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the features of the present disclosure and is not intended to be afull description. A full appreciation of the disclosure can be gained bytaking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as awhole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing description of various illustrative embodiments of thedisclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative HVAC system servicing abuilding or structure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative HVAC control system thatmay facilitate access and/or control of the HVAC system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative thermostat assembly thatmay be used in the HVAC control system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear exploded perspective view of a thermostat and wallmountable connector forming a part of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the thermostat and wall mountable connector ofFIG. 5, showing the wall mountable connector nestled within thethermostat;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a wall mountable connector andan adapter plate forming a part of the illustrative thermostat assemblyof FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wall mountable connector and adapterplate of FIG. 7, showing the wall mountable connector secured relativeto the adapter plate;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the adapter plate;

FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of an adapter plate and awall covering plate forming a part of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of the adapter plate and wall covering plateof FIG. 10, showing the wall covering plate connected to the adapterplate;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of a rectangular thermostat configured to be usedin combination with the wall mountable connector of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a circular thermostat configured to be used incombination with the wall mountable connector of FIG. 4;

FIG. 14A is a schematic front view of a first thermostat secured to awall mountable connector;

FIG. 14B is a schematic front view of a second thermostat secured to thewall mountable connector;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of the wall mountable connector ofFIG. 4, useful in combination with the first thermostat of FIG. 14Aand/or the second thermostat of FIG. 14B;

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a thermostat useful for use withthe wall mountable connector of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the wall mountable connector of FIG. 4;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the wall mountable connector of FIG. 17,shown without the door;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the door removed in FIG. 18, illustrating onepossible location for an optional memory;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the door removed in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the wall mountable connector of FIG. 4;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of some internal components of the wallmountable connector;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the wall mountable connector, with particulardimensions annotated;

FIG. 24 is a back view of a thermostat usable with the wall mountableconnector of FIG. 23, with particular dimensions annotated;

FIG. 25 is a front view of the wall mountable connector with the door inthe open position, indicating relative terminal positions in a sixteenterminal wall mountable connector;

FIG. 26 is a front view of the wall mountable connector with the door inthe open position, indicating relative terminal positions in a wallmountable connector utilizing fewer labeled terminals;

FIG. 27 is a front view of the wall mountable connector with the doorremoved, illustrating jumper functionality;

FIG. 28 is a view of the lead frame or conductive switch shown in FIG.22;

FIG. 29 illustrates a relationship between an R slider and the leadframe of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of a thermostat configured todetermine the position of a jumper switch located in the wall mountableconnector;

FIG. 31 is a back view of a thermostat including a plunger-style jumperswitch position detector;

FIG. 32 is a closer view of the plunger-style jumper switch positiondetector of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a back view of a thermostat including a photo-eye stylejumper switch position detector;

FIGS. 34A and 34B are schematic illustration of the jumper switch in anopen position and a closed position, respectively;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a thermostat in combination with aflexible wall covering plate;

FIG. 36 shows an exploded view of the wall mountable connector and theflexible wall covering plate of FIG. 35;

FIGS. 37A-37C show aspects of the flexible wall covering plate of FIG.35;

FIG. 38 is a front view of the adapter plate;

FIG. 39 is a rear exploded perspective view of a thermostat housing andprinted circuit board; and

FIG. 40 is a rear view of the assembled thermostat housing and printedcircuit board of FIG. 39.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of thedisclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawingswherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. The drawings,which are not necessarily to scale, are not intended to limit the scopeof the disclosure. In some of the figures, elements not believednecessary to an understanding of relationships among illustratedcomponents may have been omitted for clarity.

All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”,unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation ofnumerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within thatrange (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification andthe appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”,“some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature,structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whetheror not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

The present disclosure is directed generally at building automationsystems. Building automation systems are systems that control one ormore operations of a building. Building automation systems can includeHVAC systems, security systems, fire suppression systems, energymanagement systems and other systems. While HVAC systems with HVACcontrollers are used as an example below, it should be recognized thatthe concepts disclosed herein can be applied to building automationsystems more generally.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a building 2 having an illustrativeheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 4. While FIG. 1shows a typical forced air type HVAC system, other types of HVAC systemsare contemplated including, but not limited to, boiler systems, radiantheating systems, electric heating systems, cooling systems, heat pumpsystems, and/or any other suitable type of HVAC system, as desired. Theillustrative HVAC system 4 of FIG. 1 includes one or more HVACcomponents 6, a system of ductwork and air vents including a supply airduct 10 and a return air duct 14, and one or more HVAC controllers 18.The one or more HVAC components 6 may include, but are not limited to, afurnace, a heat pump, an electric heat pump, a geothermal heat pump, anelectric heating unit, an air conditioning unit, a humidifier, adehumidifier, an air exchanger, an air cleaner, a damper, a valve,and/or the like.

It is contemplated that the HVAC controller(s) 18 may be configured tocontrol the comfort level in the building or structure by activating anddeactivating the HVAC component(s) 6 in a controlled manner. The HVACcontroller(s) 18 may be configured to control the HVAC component(s) 6via a wired or wireless communication link 20. In some cases, the HVACcontroller(s) 18 may be a thermostat, such as, for example, a wallmountable thermostat, but this is not required in all embodiments. Sucha thermostat may include (e.g. within the thermostat housing) or haveaccess to one or more temperature sensor(s) for sensing ambienttemperature at or near the thermostat. In some instances, the HVACcontroller(s) 18 may be a zone controller, or may include multiple zonecontrollers each monitoring and/or controlling the comfort level withina particular zone in the building or other structure.

In the illustrative HVAC system 4 shown in FIG. 1, the HVAC component(s)6 may provide heated air (and/or cooled air) via the ductwork throughoutthe building 2. As illustrated, the HVAC component(s) 6 may be in fluidcommunication with every room and/or zone in the building 2 via theductwork 10 and 14, but this is not required. In operation, when a heatcall signal is provided by the HVAC controller(s) 18, an HVAC component6 (e.g. forced warm air furnace) may be activated to supply heated airto one or more rooms and/or zones within the building 2 via supply airducts 10. The heated air may be forced through supply air duct 10 by ablower or fan 22. In this example, the cooler air from each zone may bereturned to the HVAC component 6 (e.g. forced warm air furnace) forheating via return air ducts 14. Similarly, when a cool call signal isprovided by the HVAC controller(s) 18, an HVAC component 6 (e.g. airconditioning unit) may be activated to supply cooled air to one or morerooms and/or zones within the building or other structure via supply airducts 10. The cooled air may be forced through supply air duct 10 by theblower or fan 22. In this example, the warmer air from each zone may bereturned to the HVAC component 6 (e.g. air conditioning unit) forcooling via return air ducts 14. In some cases, the HVAC system 4 mayinclude an internet gateway or other device 23 that may allow one ormore of the HVAC components, as described herein, to communicate over awide area network (WAN) such as, for example, the Internet.

In some cases, the system of vents or ductwork 10 and/or 14 can includeone or more dampers 24 to regulate the flow of air, but this is notrequired. For example, one or more dampers 24 may be coupled to one ormore HVAC controller(s) 18, and can be coordinated with the operation ofone or more HVAC components 6. The one or more HVAC controller(s) 18 mayactuate dampers 24 to an open position, a closed position, and/or apartially open position to modulate the flow of air from the one or moreHVAC components to an appropriate room and/or zone in the building orother structure. The dampers 24 may be particularly useful in zoned HVACsystems, and may be used to control which zone(s) receives conditionedair from the HVAC component(s) 6.

In many instances, one or more air filters 30 may be used to remove dustand other pollutants from the air inside the building 2. In theillustrative example shown in FIG. 1, the air filter(s) 30 is installedin the return air duct 14, and may filter the air prior to the airentering the HVAC component 6, but it is contemplated that any othersuitable location for the air filter(s) 30 may be used. The presence ofthe air filter(s) 30 may not only improve the indoor air quality, butmay also protect the HVAC components 6 from dust and other particulatematter that would otherwise be permitted to enter the HVAC component.

In some cases, and as shown in FIG. 1, the illustrative HVAC system 4may include an equipment interface module (EIM) 34. When provided, theequipment interface module 34 may, in addition to controlling the HVACunder the direction of the thermostat, be configured to measure ordetect a change in a given parameter between the return air side and thedischarge air side of the HVAC system 4. For example, the equipmentinterface module 34 may measure a difference in temperature, flow rate,pressure, or a combination of any one of these parameters between thereturn air side and the discharge air side of the HVAC system 4. In somecases, the equipment interface module 34 may be adapted to measure thedifference or change in temperature (delta T) between a return air sideand discharge air side of the HVAC system 4 for the heating and/orcooling mode. The delta T for the heating and cooling modes may becalculated by subtracting the return air temperature from the dischargeair temperature (e.g. delta T=discharge air temperature−return airtemperature)

In some cases, the equipment interface module 34 may include a firsttemperature sensor 38 a located in the return (incoming) air duct 14,and a second temperature sensor 38 b located in the discharge (outgoingor supply) air duct 10. Alternatively, or in addition, the equipmentinterface module 34 may include a differential pressure sensor includinga first pressure tap 39 a located in the return (incoming) air duct 14,and a second pressure tap 39 b located downstream of the air filter 30to measure a change in a parameter related to the amount of flowrestriction through the air filter 30. In some cases, the equipmentinterface module 34, when provided, may include at least one flow sensorthat is capable of providing a measure that is related to the amount ofair flow restriction through the air filter 30. In some cases, theequipment interface module 34 may include an air filter monitor. Theseare just some examples.

When provided, the equipment interface module 34 may be configured tocommunicate with the HVAC controller 18 via, for example, a wired orwireless communication link 42. In other cases, the equipment interfacemodule 34 may be incorporated or combined with the HVAC controller 18.In some instances, the equipment interface module 34 may communicate,relay or otherwise transmit data regarding the selected parameter (e.g.temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) to the HVAC controller 18. Insome cases, the HVAC controller 18 may use the data from the equipmentinterface module 34 to evaluate the system's operation and/orperformance. For example, the HVAC controller 18 may compare datarelated to the difference in temperature (delta T) between the returnair side and the discharge air side of the HVAC system 4 to a previouslydetermined delta T limit stored in the HVAC controller 18 to determine acurrent operating performance of the HVAC system 4.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative HVAC control system 50that facilitates remote access and/or control of the illustrative HVACsystem 4 shown in FIG. 1. The HVAC control system 50 may be considered abuilding automation system or part of a building automation system. Theillustrative HVAC control system 50 includes an HVAC controller, as forexample, HVAC controller 18 (see FIG. 1) that is configured tocommunicate with and control one or more HVAC components 6 of the HVACsystem 4. As discussed above, the HVAC controller 18 may communicatewith the one or more HVAC components 6 of the HVAC system 4 via a wiredor wireless link 20. Additionally, the HVAC controller 18 maycommunicate over one or more wired or wireless networks that mayaccommodate remote access and/or control of the HVAC controller 18 viaanother device such as a smart phone, tablet, e-reader, laptop computer,personal computer, key fob, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the HVACcontroller 18 may include a first communications port 52 forcommunicating over a first network 54, and in some cases, a secondcommunications port 56 for communicating over a second network 58. Insome cases, the first network 54 may be a wireless local area network(LAN), and the second network 58 (when provided) may be a wide areanetwork or global network (WAN) including, for example, the Internet. Insome cases, the wireless local area network 54 may provide a wirelessaccess point and/or a network host device that is separate from the HVACcontroller 18. In other cases, the wireless local area network 54 mayprovide a wireless access point and/or a network host device that ispart of the HVAC controller 18. In some cases, the wireless local areanetwork 54 may include a local domain name server (DNS), but this is notrequired for all embodiments. In some cases, the wireless local areanetwork 54 may be an ad-hoc wireless network, but this is not required.

In some cases, the HVAC controller 18 may be programmed to communicateover the second network 58 with an external web service hosted by one ormore external web server(s) 66. A non-limiting example of such anexternal web service is Honeywell's TOTAL CONNECT™ web service. The HVACcontroller 18 may be configured to upload selected data via the secondnetwork 58 to the external web service where it may be collected andstored on the external web server 66. In some cases, the data may beindicative of the performance of the HVAC system 4. Additionally, theHVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/or download selecteddata, settings and/or services sometimes including software updates fromthe external web service over the second network 58. The data, settingsand/or services may be received automatically from the web service,downloaded periodically in accordance with a control algorithm, and/ordownloaded in response to a user request. In some cases, for example,the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/or download anHVAC operating schedule and operating parameter settings such as, forexample, temperature set points, humidity set points, start times, endtimes, schedules, window frost protection settings, and/or the like fromthe web server 66 over the second network 58. In some instances, theHVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive one or more userprofiles having at least one operational parameter setting that isselected by and reflective of a user's preferences. In still otherinstances, the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/ordownload firmware and/or hardware updates such as, for example, devicedrivers from the web server 66 over the second network 58. Additionally,the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive local weather data,weather alerts and/or warnings, major stock index ticker data, trafficdata, and/or news headlines over the second network 58. These are justsome examples.

Depending upon the application and/or where the HVAC user is located,remote access and/or control of the HVAC controller 18 may be providedover the first network 54 and/or the second network 58. A variety ofremote wireless devices 62 may be used to access and/or control the HVACcontroller 18 from a remote location (e.g. remote from the HVACController 18) over the first network 54 and/or second network 58including, but not limited to, mobile phones including smart phones,tablet computers, laptop or personal computers, wireless network-enabledkey fobs, e-readers, and/or the like. In many cases, the remote wirelessdevices 62 are configured to communicate wirelessly over the firstnetwork 54 and/or second network 58 with the HVAC controller 18 via oneor more wireless communication protocols including, but not limited to,cellular communication, ZigBee, REDLINK™, Bluetooth, WiFi, IrDA,dedicated short range communication (DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any othersuitable common or proprietary wireless protocol, as desired.

In some cases, an application program code (i.e. app) stored in thememory of the remote device 62 may be used to remotely access and/orcontrol the HVAC controller 18. The application program code (app) maybe downloaded from an external web service, such as the web servicehosted by the external web server 66 (e.g. Honeywell's TOTAL CONNECT™web service) or another external web service (e.g. ITUNES® or GooglePlay). In some cases, the app may provide a remote user interface forinteracting with the HVAC controller 18 at the user's remote device 62.For example, through the user interface provided by the app, a user maybe able to change operating parameter settings such as, for example,temperature set points, humidity set points, start times, end times,schedules, window frost protection settings, accept software updatesand/or the like. Communications may be routed from the user's remotedevice 62 to the web server 66 and then, from the web server 66 to theHVAC controller 18. In some cases, communications may flow in theopposite direction such as, for example, when a user interacts directlywith the HVAC controller 18 to change an operating parameter settingsuch as, for example, a schedule change or a set point change. Thechange made at the HVAC controller 18 may be routed to the web server 66and then from the web server 66 to the remote device 62 where it mayreflected by the application program executed by the remote device 62.

In some cases, a user may be able to interact with the HVAC controller18 via a user interface provided by one or more web pages served up bythe web server 66. The user may interact with the one or more web pagesusing a variety of internet capable devices to effect a setting or otherchange at the HVAC controller 18, and in some cases view usage data andenergy consumption data related to the usage of the HVAC system 4. Insome cases, communication may occur between the user's remote device 62and the HVAC controller 18 without being relayed through a server suchas external server 66. These are just some examples.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative thermostat assembly 80,and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrativethermostat assembly 80 of FIG. 3. In some instances, the thermostatassembly 80 may be considered as an example of the HVAC controller 18referenced in FIGS. 1 and 2. In some instances, and with particularreference to FIG. 4, the thermostat assembly 80 may include a thermostat82 and a wall mountable connector 84. As will be illustrated, the wallmountable connector 84 may be configured to accommodate field wires thatenter from a rear of the wall mountable connector 84. When so provided,the wall mountable connector 84 may provide an electrical connectionbetween terminals of the thermostat 82 and field wires (not illustrated)of the HVAC system 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

In the example shown, the wall mountable connector 84 also provides amechanical connection to the thermostat 82 and thus may be used tosecure the thermostat 82 in place relative to a vertical surface such asa wall. The wall mountable connector 84 may be considered as being afully integrated connector, providing electrical and mechanicalconnections to the thermostat 82 in a compact design that is smallenough to be used with a variety of different thermostats and yetaffords the ability to easily connect a plurality of field wires to thewall mountable connector 84.

In some instances, the wall mountable connector 84 itself may be securedto an adapter plate 86 that is configured to be secured to an electricaljunction box or the like (not illustrated) disposed within the wall. Insome cases, the adapter plate 86 may not be used, particularly if thefield wires simply exit the wall through a hole in the wall. In somecases, an installer may utilize the adaptor plate 86 if there is a largehole in the wall through which the field wires exit, even if there is nojunction box within the wall.

In some cases, a wall covering plate 88 may be included to provide anaesthetically pleasing appearance to the thermostat assembly 80. In someinstances, for example, the wall covering plate 88 may be larger thanthe thermostat 82 and may hide blemishes left on the wall from previousthermostat installations. In some cases, a homeowner may, for example,decide they want to install a wall covering plate 88 that has adifferent shape or design, or perhaps is a different color to match thecolor of a new thermostat. Additional details regarding the thermostat82, the wall mountable connector 84, the adapter plate 86 and the wallcovering plate 88, as well as particular interactions between thethermostat 82 and the wall mountable connector 84, between the wallmountable connector 84 and the adapter plate 86 and between the wallmountable connector 84 and the wall covering plate 88 will each bedescribed in more detail with respect to subsequent Figures.

FIGS. 5 and 6 provide some details of the interaction between thethermostat 82 and the wall mountable connector 84. FIG. 5 is an explodedperspective view showing the wall mountable connector 84 positionedbehind the thermostat 82 (or showing the thermostat 82 in front of thewall mountable connector 84), while FIG. 6 shows the wall mountableconnector 84 nestled into a recess 90 in the back of the thermostat 82.In the example shown, the wall mountable connector 84 is sized andconfigured to fit within recess 90 that is formed within a back side 92of the thermostat 82. In some cases, the wall mountable connector 84 mayinclude a mounting tab 85 extending upward from the wall mountableconnector 84, and the recess 90 may include a corresponding recessedportion 91 to accommodate the mounting tab 85. FIG. 6 shows the wallmountable connector 84 positioned and secured within the recess 90. Insome cases, at least 90 percent of the volume of the wall mountableconnector 84 fits within the recess 90. In some cases, at least 95percent of the volume of the wall mountable connector 84 fits within therecess 90. In some cases, at least 98 percent of the volume of the wallmountable connector 84 fits within the recess 90. In some cases, 100percent of the volume of the wall mountable connector 84 fits within therecess 90. In some cases, when the wall mountable connector 84 ismounted to a wall, the back side 92 of the thermostat 82 may extendnearly to the wall, such as to less than 10 millimeters from the wall,to less than 5 millimeters from the wall, to less than 2 millimetersfrom the wall, to less than 1 millimeter from the wall, or less.

In some cases, and as will be discussed in greater detail with respectto subsequent Figures, the thermostat 82 may include one or more latches94 that are each disposed within a side wall 96 of the recess 90. Asillustrated, there are a pair of latches 94 disposed along an upper sideof the recess 90 and a pair of latches 94 that are disposed along alower side of the recess 90. In some cases, there may be fewer than atotal of four latches 94. In some cases, there may be more than fourlatches 94. In some cases, at least some of the latches 94 may bedisposed along one or both sides of the recess 90. Regardless of howmany latches 94 are included, it will be appreciated that the latches 94will help secure the thermostat 82 to the wall mountable connector 84.The thermostat 82 is also mechanically secured to the wall mountableconnector 84, in part, via interactions between a plurality ofelectrical pins 98 extending into the recess 90 and corresponding pinterminals formed within the wall mountable connector 84. These will bediscussed in greater detail with respect to subsequent Figures.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide details of the interaction between the wallmountable connector 84 and the optional adapter plate 86. FIG. 7 is anexploded perspective view showing the wall mountable connector 84disposed above or in front of the adapter plate 86, while FIG. 8 showsthe wall mountable connector 84 secured against the front of the adapterplate 86. In some cases, as illustrated, the adapter plate 86 mayinclude a raised portion 100 (see FIG. 7) that has a shape thatcorresponds to an outer profile of the wall mountable connector 84. Theadapter plate 86 may also include a field wire aperture 101 that permitsfield wires extending from a junction box (not illustrated) or the like,through the adapter plate 86, and into the wall mountable connector 84.FIG. 8 shows the wall mountable connector 84 engaged against the raisedportion 100 of the adapter plate 86. In some instances, the raisedportion 100 of the adapter plate 86 may include mounting latches thatcorrespond to mounting apertures formed within the wall mountableconnector 84. In some cases, the raised portion 100 includes an uppermounting latch 102 that is configured to engage a corresponding uppermounting feature formed in the mounting tab 85 of the wall mountableconnector 84 such as an upper mounting aperture 104. In the exampleshown, a first lower mounting latch 106 is configured to engage acorresponding first lower mounting feature such as a first lowermounting aperture 108 formed in the wall mountable connector 84.Similarly, a second lower mounting latch 110 is configured to engage acorresponding second lower mounting feature such as a second lowermounting aperture 112 formed in the wall mountable connector 84.

FIG. 9 shows additional features of the illustrative adapter plate 86.In some cases, the adaptor plate 86 is molded from a polymer or othermaterial that is transparent or at least substantially transparent to RFenergy. As a result, the adaptor plate 86 does not block communicationsignals such as WiFi being transmitted to or from the thermostat 82. Insome cases, the mounting latch 102, for example, may include a firstcrush rib 102 a and a second crush rib 102 b that fit into acorresponding mounting aperture 104 in the wall mountable connector 84.The first crush rib 102 a and the second crush rib 102 b, incombination, span a distance across the mounting aperture 104 and insome cases at least partially compress or otherwise deform when the wallmountable connector 84 is mounted to the adaptor plate 86 in order toreduce or eliminate backlash in the X direction. The mounting latch 102also includes a latch portion 102 c extending from the first crush rib102 a and the second crush rib 102 b that is configured to engage afront surface of the wall mountable connector 84. Also, the mountinglatch 106 may include a first crush rib 106 a and a second crush rib 106b that fit into a corresponding mounting aperture 108 in the wallmountable connector 84, and a latch portion 106 c that extends up fromthe first crush rib 106 a and the second crush rib 106 b, and that isconfigured to engage a front surface of the wall mountable connector 84.Likewise, the mounting latch 110 may include a first crush rib 110 a anda second crush rib 110 b that fit into a corresponding mounting aperture112 in the wall mountable connector 84, and a latch portion 110 c thatextends up from the first crush rib 110 a and the second crush rib 110b, and that is configured to engage a front surface of the wallmountable connector 84. In some cases, the latch portion 102 c, 106 c,and 110 c may engage a reduced height shoulder portions 104 a, 108 a,112 a of the corresponding mounting apertures 104, 108, 112 (see FIG.17). In some cases, the adaptor plate 86 includes a tab 111 that engagesa back surface of the wall mountable connector 84 and helps to reduce oreliminate any backlash (e.g. play or movement) in the z direction.Accordingly, the wall mountable connector 84 may be easily and firmlysecured in position on the adaptor plate 86, without subsequentmovement. In some cases, the wall mountable connector 84 may instead besecured to the adapter plate 86 via screws or other attachmentmechanisms that, for example, extend through the mounting apertures 104,108 and 112 and engage threaded apertures (not shown) within the adapterplate 86.

FIGS. 10 and 11 provide details of the interaction between the wallcovering plate 88 and the adapter plate 86. FIG. 10 is a rear explodedview showing the wall covering plate 88 disposed in front of the adapterplate 86, while FIG. 11 is a rear plan view showing the wall coveringplate 88 secured to the adapter plate 86. While the wall mountableconnector 84 is not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, it will be appreciatedthat the wall covering plate 88 may include a wall mountable connectoraperture 120 that is sized and shaped to accommodate the wall mountableconnector 84. Accordingly, the wall covering plate 88 may be secured tothe adapter plate 86 with the wall mountable connector 84 alreadysecured to the adapter plate 86, as seen for example in FIG. 8. Thisalso means that the wall covering plate 88 may be removed from theadapter plate 86, with the wall mountable connector 84 still secured tothe adapter plate 86. For example, the wall covering plate 88 may betemporarily removed for painting or wall papering, or other decorativetechniques, then subsequently re-secured to the adapter plate 86.Accordingly, the wall covering plate 88 may be removed, installed, orreinstalled while the wall mountable connector 84 is secured to theadapter plate 86 and moreover remains electrically coupled to the HVACsystem 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2) via field wires secured to wiring terminals ofthe wall mountable connector 84.

In the example shown, the wall covering plate 88 may include a firstattachment clip 122 disposed on a first side of the wall mountableconnector aperture 120 and a second attachment clip 124 disposed on asecond, opposing side, of the wall mountable connector aperture 120. Theadapter plate 86 may include a first aperture 126 and a second aperture128, with the first aperture 126 configured to accommodate the firstattachment clip 122 and the second aperture 128 configured toaccommodate the second attachment clip 124. In some cases, the firstaperture 126 and the second aperture 128 are disposed along or justoutside an edge of the raised portion 100, meaning that the wallmountable connector 84 does not interfere with securement of the wallcovering plate 88 to the adapter plate 86. With brief reference to FIG.8, it can be seen that the second aperture 128 is visible, and thusaccessible, with the wall mountable connector 84 secured in position onthe adapter plate 86.

In some cases, if the adapter plate 86 is not used, the wall mountableconnector aperture 120 may be dimensioned to provide a frictional fitwith the sides of the wall mountable connector 84. Alternatively, or inaddition, the wall covering plate 88 may be held against a verticalsurface such as a wall by virtue of being trapped between the wall andthe back 92 of the thermostat 82.

As shown for example in FIG. 3, the thermostat 82 may have asubstantially square front profile. While the sides of the thermostat 82may be angled or curved, the front face of the thermostat 82 may besquare or rectangular. While the front face of the thermostat 82 isillustrated as being a touch screen, in some cases it will beappreciated that the front face of the thermostat 82 may include, forexample, one or more buttons separate from the screen. A back of thethermostat 82, as seen for example in FIG. 6, may be square orrectangular. While a square or rectangular shaped profile is used as oneexample, it is completed that the thermostat may have any suitable shapeor profile as desired (e.g. see FIGS. 12A-14B).

It will be appreciated that thermostats having other configurations maybe configured to work with the wall mountable connector 84 andoptionally with the adapter plate 86 and/or the wall covering plate 88.In some cases, a variety of different thermostats may be used with thewall mountable connector 84. As a result, a first thermostat may beremoved from the wall mountable connector 84 and may be disposed of. Asecond thermostat, which may have the same shape as the firstthermostat, or which may have a different shape, may then be secured tothe same wall mountable connector 84. In some cases, for example, thewall mountable connector 84 may be considered as being a universal wallmountable connector, enabling installation of a variety of differentthermostats without having to disconnect the field wires from the firstthermostat and then connect the field wires to the second thermostat.Rather, one may simply pull the first thermostat off the wall mountableconnector 84 and subsequently push the second thermostat onto the wallmountable connector 84 in order to install the second thermostat withoutrequiring any tools or wiring knowledge. Further, a thermostat may beeasily and temporarily removed for painting, for example, andsubsequently snapped back into place on the wall mountable connector 84afterwards.

While thermostats may take any desired shape, size or configuration,FIGS. 12 and 13 provide illustrative but non-limiting examples ofthermostats that may be configured to work with the wall mountableconnector 84. FIG. 12 is a back view of a thermostat 130 having arectangular profile. The thermostat 130 includes the same recess 90,including the recessed portion 91 that was shown on the back of thethermostat 82 (FIG. 5). Accordingly, the thermostat 130 may be used incombination with the wall mountable connector 84, and optionally withthe adapter plate 86 and/or the wall covering plate 88. It will beappreciated that in some cases, the wall covering plate 88, althoughillustrated as having substantially square profile, may be modified tohave a rectangular profile to better fit behind the thermostat 130.

FIG. 13 is a back view of a thermostat 132 having a circular profile.The thermostat 132 includes the same recess 90, including the recessedportion 91 that was shown on the back of the thermostat 82 (FIG. 5).Accordingly, the thermostat 132 may be used in combination with the wallmountable connector 84, and optionally with the adapter plate 86 and/orthe wall covering plate 88. It will be appreciated that in some cases,the wall covering plate 88, although illustrated as having substantiallysquare profile, may be modified to have a circular profile to better fitbehind the thermostat 132.

As noted, in some cases the wall mountable connector 84 may beconsidered as being a universal wall mountable connector, usable withany number of different thermostat configurations. FIG. 14A illustratesa first thermostat 140 that is secured in position on the wall mountableconnector 84. Since this is a front view of the thermostat 140, it willbe appreciated that the wall mountable connector 84 is shown in phantom.FIG. 14B illustrates a second thermostat 142 that is secured in positionon the wall mountable connector 84. In some cases, the first thermostat140 may represent an initially or previously installed thermostat, andthe second thermostat 142 may represent a replacement thermostat. Insome instances, and as will be discussed in greater detail with respectto subsequent Figures, in some cases the wall mountable connector 84 isconfigured to enable a user to remove the first thermostat 140 from thewall mountable connector 84 and to install a new, different, thermostatsuch as the second thermostat 142, without having to disconnect andconnect any field wires that are operably coupled with the wallmountable connector 84. For example, the second thermostat 142 may haveenhanced features that are not present in the first thermostat 140.

In some cases, the first thermostat 140 may have stored information suchas stored configuration information that may be useful to the secondthermostat 142. For example, the stored information may includethermostat configuration data, such as but not limited to, thermostatscheduling data such as a programmable schedule, information about theHVAC system that is to be controlled (e.g. furnace type, number ofstages, etc.), thermostat settings (e.g. WiFi password, low temperaturelimit), contractor information (e.g. contractor name, address,contractor information, and logo), and/or other information. In somecases, the stored information may include login information for a localwireless source and/or a remote server, such as that referenced in FIG.2.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a wall mountable connector 144that may be considered as representing the wall mountable connector 84(FIG. 2) and that may be used in combination with the first thermostat140 and/or the second thermostat 142. The illustrative wall mountableconnector 144 includes a housing 146 that may be configured to bemounted to a wall and is configured to provide a standardized mechanicalconnection between the wall mountable connector 144 and each of thefirst thermostat 140, the second thermostat 142 (and in some cases otherthermostats that are in a line of compatible thermostats). The wallmountable connector 144 may include a field wiring connection block 148that is configured to provide an electrical connection between the wallmountable connector 144 and a plurality of field wires that are coupledwith the HVAC system 4 (FIG. 1). In some cases, the field wiringconnection block 148 may be replaced by a wireless connection block thatis configured to provide wireless communication between the wallmountable connector 144 and an HVAC system 4 that is to be controlledvia the wall mountable connector 144. A thermostat connection block 150may provide a standardized electrical connection between the wallmountable connector 144 and the thermostats 140, 142. The wall mountableconnector 144 may be electrically coupled to the thermostat 140, 142 viathe thermostat connection block 150, and the wall mountable connector144 may be communicatively coupled to the HVAC system 4 via the fieldwiring connection block 148 and/or the wireless connection block (notshown). When so provided, there may be a standardized mechanical andelectrical connection to the wall mountable connector 144 such that thefirst thermostat 140 may be removed and replaced with the secondthermostat 142.

In some cases, the wall mountable connector 144 may further include amemory 152 that is configured to store data and/or other informationthat was communicated to the memory 152 by a first thermostat from aline of compatible thermostats (e.g. from first thermostat 140). In somecases, the data and/or other information may be communicated from thefirst thermostat automatically or on-command. In some cases, the memory152 may be configured to communicate the stored data and/or informationto a subsequently installed second thermostat from the line ofcompatible thermostat (e.g. to the second thermostat 142). In somecases, the memory 152 may be configured to communicate with eachthermostat in the line of compatible thermostats. In some instances, forexample, the memory 152 may be configured to, automatically oron-command, communicate the stored data and/or information to thesubsequently installed second thermostat to at least partially configurethe subsequently installed second thermostat using settings from thefirst thermostat. This information may include thermostat configurationdata, such as but not limited to, thermostat scheduling data such as aprogrammable schedule, information about the HVAC system that is to becontrolled (e.g. furnace type, number of stages, etc.), thermostatsettings (e.g. WiFi password, low temperature limit), contractorinformation (e.g. contractor name, address, contractor information, andlogo), and/or other information. In some cases, the stored informationmay include login information for a local wireless source and/or aremote server, such as that referenced in FIG. 2.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative thermostat 160which may be used in combination with the wall mountable connector 144and which may schematically represent the first thermostat 140 and/orthe second thermostat 142 discussed above. The thermostat 160 isillustrated as having a housing 161 with a rear face 162 and a frontface (not visible) 164 and side walls 166 extending between the rearface 162 and the front face 164. A rear-facing recess 168 is disposedwithin the rear face 162 of the housing 161 and extends toward the frontface 164. The rear-facing recess 168 includes a bottom surface 170,upper and lower side walls 172 and left and right side walls 174 (withrespect to the illustrated orientation). The rear-facing recess 168 may,for example, be configured to receive at least part of the wallmountable connector 144. In some cases, the rear-facing recess 168 ofthe thermostat is configured to receive at least 30 percent of the wallmountable connector 144 before the thermostat connection block 150 (seeFIG. 15) electrically connects the thermostat 160 to the wall mountableconnector 144. This may help first mechanically align the thermostat 160to the wall mountable connector 144 before the thermostat connectionblock 150 electrically connects the thermostat 160 to the wall mountableconnector 144. In some cases, the rear-facing recess 168 is dimensionedsuch that the rear-facing recess 168 is able to receive at least 80percent of the wall mountable connector 144 before the standardizedmechanical connection between the wall mountable connector 144 and thethermostat 160 (e.g. latches 94) becomes fully engaged.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the illustrative wall mountable connector 84.The illustrative wall mountable connector 84 includes a housing 180having a front side 182 and a back side 184 that is configured to bemountable to a wall. In some cases, the back side 184 may be configuredto be mounted directly to a wall. In some cases, the back side 184 maybe configured to be mounted to a wall via connection to an adapter platesuch as the adapter plate 86. The back side 184 of the illustrative wallmountable connector may be seen, for example, in FIG. 5. Theillustrative wall mountable connector 84 includes a door 194 that ismovable between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 17, and an openposition, as shown in FIG. 25. I

As noted, the wall mountable connector 84 may be secured relative to avertical surface such as a wall by using the upper mounting aperture104, the first lower mounting aperture 108 and/or the second lowermounting aperture 112, sometimes using fasteners such as screws, nailsor the like. In some cases, having a total of three mounting apertures104, 108, 112 may make it easier, particularly when mounting directly toa wall, to hit a wall stud with at least one of the fasteners. In somecases, it will be appreciated that having three mounting apertures 104,108, 112, particularly arranged at the vertices of a triangle, may besufficient to securely fasten the wall mountable connector 84 to a wallor to the adapter plate 86 without requiring a fourth mounting apertureand corresponding fastener. In some cases, the upper mounting aperture104, the first lower mounting aperture 108 and the second lower mountingaperture 112 may be considered as being located at the vertices of anisosceles triangle, but this is not required. In some cases, the uppermounting aperture 104, the first lower mounting aperture 108 and thesecond lower mounting aperture 112 may be considered as being located atthe vertices of an equilateral triangle, but this is not required.

In some instances, it will be appreciated that the first lower mountingaperture 108 may be disposed within a lower portion of the wallmountable connector 84 and may be offset to the left of the uppermounting aperture 104. Similarly, the second lower mounting aperture 112may be disposed within a lower portion of the wall mountable connector84 and may be offset to the right of the upper mounting aperture 104. Insome instances, the upper mounting aperture 104 may be or otherwise mayinclude a vertically aligned elongate slot, meaning that the uppermounting aperture 104 may have a height that is greater than a width ofthe upper mounting aperture 104. In some cases, the first lower mountingaperture 108 may be or otherwise may include an elongate slot that, asillustrated, is orientated diagonally, extending from an upper positionat the left side of the elongate slot to a lower position at the rightside of the elongate slot. In some cases, the second lower mountingaperture 112 may be or may otherwise include an elongate slot that isoriented diagonally, extending from a lower position at the left side ofthe slot to an upper position at the right side of the elongate slot.The elongated shape of the slots may provide some leeway in theorientation (e.g. vertical and/or rotational orientation) of the wallmountable connector 84 relative to the fasteners, which may beparticularly beneficial when the precise positioning of the fastenersmay vary from installation to installation.

In some cases, the upper mounting aperture 104 may include a reducedheight shoulder portion 104 a that may be configured to accommodate afastener head or, as shown in FIG. 8, a corresponding mounting latch. Insome instances, the first lower mounting aperture 108 may include areduced height shoulder portion 108 a that may be configured toaccommodate a fastener head or, as shown in FIG. 8, a correspondingmounting latch. In some instances, the second lower mounting aperture112 may include a reduced height shoulder portion 112 a that may beconfigured to accommodate a fastener head or, as shown in FIG. 8, acorresponding mounting latch.

FIG. 18 shows the wall mountable connector 84 with the door 194 removedin order to reference additional features of the wall mountableconnector 84. In some cases, the housing 180 includes a recess 212 thatat least partially accommodates or receives the door 194 when the door194 is in the closed position. In some instances, and as seen in FIG.18, the housing 180 may be considered as defining a field wire receivingcavity 186. The housing 180 also defines a field wire aperture 188 thatextends through the back side 184 of the housing 180 and into the fieldwire receiving cavity 186. In some cases, the field wire receivingcavity 186 may be considered as being a space in front of the field wireaperture 188. In some cases, the sides of the field wire receivingcavity 186 may be beveled to provide easier access to wiring terminalsof the wall mountable connector 84 and to facilitate attachment of fieldwires.

In some cases, the first lower mounting aperture 108 may be offset tothe left of a left side 188 a of the field wire aperture 188 by adistance that is no more than 1.5 inches. In some cases, the secondlower mounting aperture 112 may be offset to the right of a right side188 b of the field wire aperture 188 by a distance that is no more than1.5 inches. The field wire aperture 188 may be configured to accommodateone or more field wires exiting the wall and passing through the fieldwire aperture 188. In some cases, the wall mountable connector 84 mayinclude a first wiring connection block 190 that is positioned along theleft side of the field wire receiving cavity 186 and that is configuredto electrically connect to one or more field wires. A second wiringconnection block 192 may be positioned along the right side of the fieldwire receiving cavity 186 and may be configured to electrically connectto one or more field wires. In some cases, a front side of the fieldwire receiving cavity 186 may be open to allow a user to gain access andto electrically connect one or more field wires that are in the fieldwire receiving cavity 186 to the first wiring connection block 190 andto connect one or more other field wires to the second wiring connectionblock 192. It will be appreciated that in FIG. 18, a door 194 (seen inFIG. 19) has been removed for clarity. In some cases, as can be seen inFIG. 19, the door 194 may include a hinge portion 196 that interactswith a corresponding hinge portion 198 on the wall mountable connector84 (FIG. 18) to enable the door to be opened or closed as desiredwithout entirely removing the door 194 from the wall mountable connector84.

In some cases, the wall mountable connector 84 may, as referenced withrespect to FIG. 15 and wall mountable connector 144, include a memory200 that may be configured to store data, settings and/or otherinformation that is communicated by an initially installed thermostat,such as but not limited to, the first thermostat 140 (FIG. 14A), and tocommunicate the stored data, settings and/or other information to asubsequently installed second thermostat such as, but not limited to,the second thermostat 142 (FIG. 14B). In some cases, the memory 200 maybe disposed somewhere within the field wire receiving cavity 186. Insome cases, the memory 200 may be secured to a back side of the door194, as shown in phantom in FIG. 19. In some cases, as can be seen forexample by comparing FIG. 17 with FIG. 18, when the door 194 is in theclosed position (as seen in FIG. 17), the door 194 covers the front sideof the field wire receiving cavity 186, the first wiring connectionblock 190 and the second wiring connection block 192. When the door 194is in the open position (effectively illustrated in FIG. 18), the usergains access to the field wire receiving cavity 186, the first wiringconnection block 190 and the second wiring connection block 192. In somecases, the door 194 helps to ensure that all the field wires areproperly tucked in, as if a field wire extends too far outwardly, thedoor 194 will hit it, thus providing feedback to the installer. In someinstances, the door 194 helps to block airflow into the back of thethermostat 82. Absent the door 194, air can flow out of the wall, forexample, and into the thermostat 82. Air flow can negatively impact theaccuracy of any thermometer within the thermostat 82, for example.

In some cases, as illustrated, the door 194 may include a hinge 196,sometimes located at or near a lower end 206 of the door 194. Asecurement 204 may be disposed at or near an upper end 208 of the door194, and may be configured to releasably secure the door 194 in theclosed position. As illustrated, the door 194 may include a pair ofsecurements 204. In some cases, the door 194 may include only a singlesecurement 204 or may include three or more individual securements 204.In some cases, the door 194 may include a graspable portion 202 (e.g.lip or tab) that helps the user to grasp and open the door 194 and tomove the door 194 from the closed position to the open position. Asillustrated, the graspable portion 202 may include an upward extendinglip that spans across the upper end 208 of the door 194. In some cases,the graspable portion 202 may be disposed near the securements 204.

In the example shown, the door 194 includes an inner surface 210. Insome cases, the inner surface 210 may include printed information.Illustrative but non-limiting examples of such printed informationinclude text instructing the user to check a website for thermostatcompatibility information, or text providing the user with instructionssuch as how to strip the insulation off of the field wires, and a scaleddiagram showing how much insulation to strip off. The scale of thediagram can be 1:1, which may allow the user to use the diagram tomeasure out how much insulation to strip off. This can be seen, forexample, in FIGS. 25 and 26.

Returning to FIG. 18, the wall mountable connector 84 may include afirst connection block 220 that is disposed on a first side of the fieldwire receiving cavity 186 and a second connection block 222 that isdisposed on a second side of the field wire receiving cavity 186. Itwill be appreciated that the first connection block 220 may include thefirst wiring connection block 190 and the second connection block mayinclude the second wiring connection block 192. The first connectionblock 220 also includes a first column 224 of pin terminals and thesecond connection block 222 also includes a second column 226 of pinterminals. It will be appreciated that the first column 224 of pinterminals may be configured to accommodate a first column of pinsextending backward from the thermostat, and the second column 226 of pinterminals may be configured to accommodate a second column of pinsextending backward from the thermostat. The pin terminals extendingbackward from the thermostat may be seen, for example, in FIG. 5.

In some cases, the first wiring connection block 190 may be consideredas being a first column of wiring terminals 228 and the second wiringconnection block 192 may be considered as being a second column ofwiring terminals 230. As will be illustrated, each of the wiringterminals 228 may be electrically coupled with a corresponding pinterminal of the first column 224 of pin terminals. Similarly, each ofthe wiring terminals 230 may be electrically coupled with acorresponding pin terminal of the second column 226 of pin terminals. Itwill be appreciated that when the door 194 is closed, the first column224 of pin terminals and the second column 226 of pin terminals remainaccessible while the first column of wiring terminals 228 and the secondcolumn of wiring terminals 230 may be inaccessible to the user. In somecases, a first set of labels labeling the first column of wiringterminals 228 and/or a second set of labels labeling the second columnof wiring terminals 230, discussed subsequently, may be disposed withinthe recess 212, and thus may be visible when the door 194 is in the openposition but hidden when the door 194 is in the closed position. Thislabeling may be seen, for example, in FIGS. 25 and 26.

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the wall mountable connector 84,providing a better view of some of the components that together form thewall mountable connector 84. In some cases, as illustrated, the housing180 may include a front housing portion 180 a and a back housing portion180 b. In some instances, the housing 180 may include three or moremolded sections or portions. In some cases, the housing 180 may bemolded as a single molded structure. It will be appreciated that, in theexample shown, the front housing portion 180 a and the back housingportion 180 b cooperate to provide space for and to secure a pluralityof conductive contact members that are arranged into a first column ofconductive contact members 240 and a second column of conductive contactmembers 242. It will be appreciated that the first column of conductivecontact members 240 may be disposed on the left side of the field wirereceiving cavity 186 and may electrically couple each of the firstcolumn of wiring terminals 228 (formed by the first wiring connectionblock 190) with a corresponding one of the first column of pin terminals224. Similarly, the second column of conductive contact members 242 maybe disposed on the right side of the field wire receiving cavity 186 andmay electrically couple each of the second column of wiring terminals230 (formed by the second wiring connection block 192) with acorresponding one of the second column of pin terminals 226.

A first column of levers 244 are disposed on the left side of the fieldwire receiving cavity 186. Each of the first column of levers 244 may beconfigured to accommodate one of the first plurality of conductivecontact members 240 within the lever 244. A second column of levers 246are disposed on the right side of the field wire receiving cavity 186.Each of the second column of levers 246 may be configured to accommodateone of the second plurality of conductive contact members 242. In somecases, inserting a field wire into one of the wiring terminals 228 or230 causes the corresponding lever 244 or 246 to deflect partially,providing an indication that a field wire has been inserted into thecorresponding wiring terminal 228 or 230. In some cases, the levers arevisible to the user even when the door 194 is closed (e.g. see FIGS. 4and 7), and therefore a user may be able to determine which terminalshave a corresponding field wire connected by viewing whether thecorresponding lever is partially deflected or not. In some cases, eachof the individual levers 244 and 246 may be easily individuallyaddressable by an installer, for example, meaning that they can simplyuse their finger to easily depress a desired lever if they wish toremove an already inserted field wire, or perhaps to make insertion of afield wire easier. In some cases, the ends of the levers may be roundedto help the user engage only one of the levers (a desired lever) withoutalso engaging an adjacent lever. While a rounded end shape is shown, itis contemplated that the shape of the end of the levers may be anysuitable shape that aids the user in selecting only one of the levers.This may include any shape that produces a different length at both thelower edge and the upper edge of the lever relative to the two adjacentlevers. This can be particularly useful with the pitch of the leversbecomes small relative to the size of a finger. As can be seen in FIG.21, in some cases the individual levers 244 (or the individual levers246) nest together, which helps to conserve space within the wallmountable connector 84 and reduce the pitch of the field wiringterminals and the corresponding levers.

In some cases, a lead frame 248 may fit into a corresponding recess 250formed within the back housing portion 180 b. The wall mountableconnector 84 may include a U terminal slider 252 and an R terminalslider 254, both of which will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter.

Interactions between some of these components may be seen in FIG. 22,which is a view of the wall mountable connector 84 with the fronthousing portion 180 a, the back housing portion 180 b and the door 194removed. As can be seen, each of the first plurality of conductivecontact members 240 fit into a corresponding one of the first column oflevers 244. Similarly, each of the second plurality of conductivecontact members 242 fit into a corresponding one of the second column oflevers 246. As will be discussed subsequently, the lead frame 248, the Uterminal slider 252 and the R terminal slider 254 may cooperate toselectively electrically connect or disconnect several of the wiringterminals 228 and/or 230. With particular attention to the lowermost ofthe first plurality of conductive contact members 240, labeled here asconductive contact member 260, it can be seen that the conductivecontact member 260 has a first end 262 that is configured to makephysical and electrical contact with a field wire that is inserted intothe corresponding wiring terminal 228. The conductive contact member 260also has a second end 264 that is configured to make physical andelectrical contact with a pin (extending backward from a thermostat)that is inserted into the corresponding pin terminal 224. Accordingly,the conductive contact member 260 may be configured to provide anelectrical connection between a wiring terminal 228 and thecorresponding pin terminal 224. In some cases, the conductive contactmember 260 may be flex when a field wire that is inserted into thecorresponding wiring terminal 228 and/or when a pin is inserted into thecorresponding pin terminal 224. This flex may cause the conductivecontact member 260 to provide a mechanical bias force against the fieldwire and/or pin terminal 224, which can help provide a frictionconnection therebetween. This friction connection can help hold thefield wire in place and/or help hold the thermostat pin and thus thethermostat to the wall mountable connector 84. For example, in somecases, as a pulling force is applied to a field wire, a bending momentcaused by the conductive contact member 260 further increases a normalforce and thus holds the field wire more securely.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the wall mountable connector 84, annotated todefine several dimensions. In some cases, as illustrated, the firstcolumn of pin terminals 224 may be at least substantially parallel withthe second column of pin terminals 226. In this, substantially parallelmay be defined as being within about plus or minus 10 degrees from ageometric parallel. In some cases, the first column of pin terminals 224is spaced a distance labeled D₁ from the second column of pin terminals226. In some instances, D₁ may range from 30 millimeters (mm) to 60 mm.In some instances, D₁ may range from 40 mm to 50 mm. In some instances,D₁ may be about 44.5 mm, where “about” refers to plus or minus tenpercent. The wall mountable connector 84 may have an overall width thatis labeled as D₂ and an overall height that is labeled as D₃. In someinstances, D₂ may be less than about 80 mm, or less than about 70 mm, orless than about 60 mm. In some cases, D₃ may be less than about 80 mm,or less than about 70 mm. In some cases, there may be a spacing labeledD₄ between adjacent pins. D₄ may be about 15 mm or less, 10 mm or less,5 mm or less, or another suitable dimension. In some cases, the spacingbetween adjacent pins labeled D₄ may be about 5 mm. It will beappreciated that a thermostat made to be secured to the wall mountableconnector 84, such as the thermostat 82, 130, 132, 140, 142, 160 mayhave inter-pin and inter-pin column spacing that corresponds to that ofthe wall mountable connector 84.

In some instances, the housing 180 of the wall mountable connector 84may be considered as including a male portion 270. In some cases, themale portion 270 may be considered as being a portion of the wallmountable connector 84 that extends into the recess 90 formed in theback of the thermostat 82, for example. In some cases, the male portion270 may be considered as forming all of the housing 180. In someinstances, the male portion 270 may be the portion of the housing 180that extends outwardly farther than the mounting tab 85. In some cases,the first column of pin terminals 224 may be parallel with andvertically aligned with the second column of pin terminals 226. In somecases, the first column of pin terminals 224 and the second column ofpin terminals 226 may be vertically asymmetric, meaning that they arenot vertically centered on the wall mountable connector 84, but insteadare disposed closer to a top 272 of the housing 180 than they are to abottom 274 of the housing 180. In some cases, a top pin terminal 224,226 may be spaced from the top 272 a distance that is labeled as D₅while a bottom pin terminal 224, 226 may be spaced from the bottom 274 adistance that is labeled as D₆. D₆ may be larger than D₅. In some cases,D₅ may be less than about 8 mm. D₅ may be between about 4.5 mm and about6.5 mm. D₆ may be about 18 mm or less. In some cases, D₆ may be betweenabout 14.5 mm and about 16.5 mm.

In some cases, it may be useful to describe the position of the pinterminals 224 and 226 relative to an outer edge of the wall mountableconnector 84. With reference to FIG. 23, the wall mountable connector 84may be considered as having a left edge 271 and a right edge 273. Insome cases, the pin terminals 224 may be spaced from the left edge 271 adistance that is labeled as D₉. It will be appreciated that the pinterminals 226 may be spaced from the right edge 273 a distance equal toD₉. In some cases, D₉ may be between about 3 mm and about 20 mm. D₉ maybe between about 4 mm and about 12 mm. D₉ may be between about 5 mm andabout 8 mm. In some cases, D₉ may be about 6 mm. It will be appreciatedthat in some cases, these dimensions contribute to providing a wallmountable connector 84 that maximizes the size of the field wirereceiving cavity 186 while minimizing the overall footprint of the wallmountable connector 84.

FIG. 24 is a back plan view of the thermostat 82 usable with the wallmountable connector 84 of FIG. 23, with particular dimensions annotated.For example, D₇, which indicates a spacing between a first column ofpins 280 and a second column of pins 282 may be about the same as the D₁spacing shown on FIG. 23. Similarly, D₈, which indicates a spacingbetween an uppermost pin 280 or 282 and a top edge 284 of the recess 90,may be about the same as the D₅ spacing shown on FIG. 23. D₉, whichindicates a spacing between a lowermost pin 280 or 282 and a bottom edge286 of the recess 90, may be about the same as the D₆ spacing shown onFIG. 23. D₇ may range from 30 mm to 60 mm. In some instances, D₇ mayrange from 40 mm to 50 mm. In some instances, D₇ may be about 44.5 mm.D₈ may be less than about 8 mm. D₈ may be between about 4.5 mm and about6.5 mm. D₉ may be about 18 mm or less. In some cases, D₉ may be betweenabout 14.5 mm and about 16.5 mm.

In some cases, it may be useful to describe the position of the firstcolumn of pins 280 and the second column of pins 282 relative to anouter edge of the recess 90 formed in the thermostat 82. With referenceto FIG. 24, the recess 90 may be considered as having a left edge 281and a right edge 284. In some cases, the first column of pins 280 may bespaced from the left edge 281 a distance that is labeled as D₁₀. It willbe appreciated that the second column of pins 282 may be spaced from theright edge 283 a distance equal to D₁₀. In some cases, D₁₀ may bebetween about 3 mm and about 20 mm. D₁₀ may be between about 4 mm andabout 12 mm. D₁₀ may be between about 5 mm and about 8 mm. In somecases, D₁₀ may be about 6 mm.

The first column of pins 280 in FIG. 24 may be substantially parallelwith the second column of pins 282. In some cases, the first column ofpins 280 may be substantially vertically aligned with the second columnof pins 282. As illustrated, the first column of pins 280 and the secondcolumn of pins 282 may be vertically closer to the top edge 284 of therecess 90 than to the bottom edge 286. Accordingly, and in comparisonwith FIG. 23, it will be appreciated that the thermostat 82 will onlyfit onto the wall mountable connector 84 in a single orientation. Onecan't accidently mount the thermostat 82 upside down or sideways, forexample. It is contemplated that these mechanical alignment and fitmentfeatures may be carried out through a line of compatible thermostats.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are front plan views of the wall mountable connector 84,showing the door 194 attached but in an open position in which the door194 does not block access to the interior of the wall mountableconnector 84. As can be seen, some of the wiring terminals are arrangedso that more commonly used wiring terminals are spaced apart in order toprovide additional finger space for inserting particular field wires.Also, the wiring terminals are labeled in an easy to read manner. Insome cases, some of the more popular wiring terminals are labeled in abolder font, such as in bold or in inverse to make it even easier forsomeone to find them. Conversely, some of the less commonly used wiringterminals are labeled in a smaller font.

In some cases, a wiring block such as the first wiring connection block190, may include two or more commonly used wiring terminals. The morecommonly used wiring terminals may include, for example, an R terminal(power, typically 24 volts), a W terminal (Heat), a G terminal (Fan) anda Y terminal (Cool). At least some of these wiring terminals areseparated from each other by at least one intervening wiring terminal.For example, the first wiring connection block 190 may include a Yterminal and a G terminal that are separated by at least one interveningterminal. As illustrated, the Y terminal and the G terminal areseparated by a Y₂ terminal (e.g. second stage cooling). In some cases,the first wiring connection block 190 may also include a C terminal(common), as illustrated. In some instances, a wiring block such as thesecond wiring connection block 192 may include two or more of thecommonly used wiring terminals that were not utilized in the firstwiring connection block 190. For example, in some cases, the secondwiring connection block 192 may include a W terminal and an R terminal,separated from each other by at least one intervening terminal. Asillustrated, the W terminal and the R terminal are separated by a Kterminal. In some cases, an O/B wiring terminal, indicating a heat pump,only has one designation.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the wall mountable connector 84 with the door194 removed. With reference to FIG. 22, certain wire terminals includingthe R wiring terminal, the R_(C) wiring terminal and the U wiringterminal relative to the lead frame 248, the U terminal slider 252 andthe R terminal slider 254 are identified. In some cases, there may betwo U wiring terminals. The R wiring terminal may be intended forelectrically connecting a field wire from a heat transformer. The R_(C)wiring terminal may be intended for electrically connecting a field wirefrom a cool and/or fan transformer. The U wiring terminal may beintended for electrically connecting a field wire from an accessorytransformer (e.g. humidifier). In some cases, depending on what HVACequipment is being controlled by the thermostat 82, there may be adesire to electrically couple the R wiring terminal and the R_(C) wiringterminal (e.g. only a heat transformer is present). In some cases, theremay be a desire to electrically couple the U wiring terminal and theR_(C) wiring terminal (e.g. a cooling transformer is present, but noaccessory transformer).

Accordingly, the wall mountable connector 84 may be configured toprovide easy jumper functionality. In some cases, the R terminal slider254 and a portion of the lead frame 248, as will be discussed, may, incombination, be considered as functioning as a R switch that is manuallymovable between a closed position in which the R switch electricallyconnects the R wiring terminal and the R_(C) wiring terminal, and anopen position in which the R switch electrically disconnects the Rwiring terminal and the R_(C) wiring terminal. In some cases, the Uterminal slider 252 and a portion of the lead frame 248, as will bediscussed, may, in combination be considered as functioning as a Uswitch that is manually movable between a closed position in which the Uswitch electrically connects the R_(C) wiring terminal and the U wiringterminal, and an open position in which the U switch electricallydisconnects the R_(C) wiring terminal and the U wiring terminal.

In some instances, an installer may determine the presence or absence ofa heat transformer, a cooling or fan transformer, and an accessorytransformer. The installer may then set the R switch and the U switchaccordingly. In some cases, and with brief reference to FIG. 25, a label290 may indicate which direction to slide the R terminal slider 254 inorder to close the R switch and/or which direction to slide the Uterminal slider 252 in order to close the U switch. For example, theinstaller may close the R switch if it is determined that there is asingle HVAC transformer for heating and cooling, and one side of thesingle transformer is wired to the R wiring terminal. The installer mayopen the R switch if there is a heating transformer for heating and aseparate cooling transformer for cooling, and one side of the heatingtransformer is wired to the R wiring terminal and one side of thecooling transformer is wired to the R_(C) wiring terminal. In somecases, the installer may open the U switch if an accessory uses its owntransformer, and one side of the accessory transformer is wired to the Uwiring terminal. The U switch may be closed, however, if an accessory isconfigured to utilize the heating or cooling transformer.

FIG. 28 provides an enlarged view of the lead frame 248 visible in FIG.22. The lead frame 248 may be considered as including an R leg 300, anR_(C) leg 302 and a U leg 304. The lead frame 248 includes a centralmounting portion 306 which may be secured to the back housing portion180 b. The R leg 300 may be considered as radiating outward from thecentral mounting portion 306. The R_(C) leg 302 may be considered asradiating outward from the central mounting portion 306. The U leg 304may be considered as radiating outward from the central mounting portion306.

As the lead frame 248 may be stamped out of a single piece of conductivematerial, such as a metal, it will be appreciated that the R leg 300,the R_(C) leg 302 and the U leg 304 are all electrically connectedtogether. The R leg 300 and the R_(C) leg 302 may, for example, beconsidered as being part of the aforementioned R switch while the U leg304 may be considered as being part of the aforementioned U switch. Insome cases, the R leg 300 may be moveable via the R terminal slider 254between a closed position in which the R leg 300 is electrically coupledwith the R wiring terminal and an open position in which the R leg 300is not electrically coupled with the R wiring terminal. In someinstances, the R_(C) leg 302 remains electrically coupled with the R_(C)wiring terminal. In some cases, the U leg 304 may be moveable via the Uterminal slider 252 between a closed position in which the U leg 304 iselectrically coupled with the U wiring terminal and an open position inwhich the U leg 304 is not electrically coupled with the U wiringterminal.

In some cases, the U terminal slider 252 includes a cam 314 (shown inphantom in FIG. 22) that lifts the U leg 304 out of contact with the Uwiring terminal when the U leg is in the open position. In some cases,the R terminal slider 254 includes a cam that lifts the R leg 300 out ofcontact with the R wiring terminal when the R leg is in the openposition. FIG. 29 provides further detail regarding the R terminalslider 254, disposed relative to the lead frame 248, the R wiringterminal and the R_(C) wiring terminal. The illustrative R terminalslider 254 includes a central track portion 308 that is configured toslidingly engage the housing of the wall mountable connector 84. A camportion 310 extends in a first direction from the central track portion308 and is configured to lift the R leg 300 out of electrical contactwith the R wiring terminal when the R terminal slider 254 is moved tothe open position. A body portion 312 extends in a second direction fromthe central track portion 308 and is configured to provide a handle forengaging the R terminal slider 254 and in some cases is configured tophysically block access to the R_(C) wiring terminal when the R terminalslider 254 is in the closed position, thereby preventing the installerfrom inadvertently connecting a heating transformer to a coolingtransformer.

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of a thermostat 320 that isconfigured to be used in combination with a wall mountable connector,such as the wall mountable connector 84, which has a jumper switch suchas the R switch and/or the U switch previously discussed. The thermostat320 is configured to be releasably secured to a wall mountable connectorthat is itself configured to be secured to a wall and provide electricalconnections between the thermostat 320 and the HVAC equipment 6 (FIG. 1)that is to be controlled by the thermostat 320. The illustrativethermostat 320 includes a controller 322 that is disposed within ahousing 326 and is configured to be operatively coupled to a pluralityof pin terminals (not shown) of the thermostat 320. In some cases, theplurality of pin terminals may include the pins 280 and 282 (e.g. seeFIG. 24). A jumper switch position detector 324 may be configured toinform the controller 322 as to whether the jumper switch (e.g. Rterminal slider 254) of the wall mountable connector 84 is in a firstposition or a second position, as previously discussed. In some cases,the controller 322 may be configured to change the control of at leastsome functionality of either the thermostat 320 and/or the HVACequipment 6 in accordance with whether the jumper switch is in the firstposition or in the second position. In some cases, the first position ofthe jumper switch corresponds to the jumper switch being in an openposition in which the jumper switch does not electrically connect the Rwire terminal and the R_(C) wire terminal. In some cases, the secondposition of the jumper switch corresponds to the jumper switch being ina closed position in which the jumper switch does electrically connectthe R wire terminal and the R_(C) wire terminal.

FIG. 31 is a back view of an illustrative thermostat 330 that includes aplunger-style jumper switch position detector. The thermostat 330includes an aperture 332 that accommodates a plunger 334 that extendsout of the back of the thermostat 330. In some cases, the plunger 334 isarranged to align with an aperture 336 (see FIG. 17) that is blockedwhen the R terminal slider 254 is in an up position and is open when theR terminal slider 254 is in a down position. If the plunger 334 is ableto extend into the aperture 336, the thermostat 330 then can detect thatthe R terminal slider 254 is in the down (e.g. closed) position. If theplunger 334 is not able to extend into the aperture 336, the thermostat330 determines that the R terminal slider 254 is in the up (e.g. open)position. As seen in FIG. 32, the plunger 334 may be biased to anextended position via a spring 338. In some cases, if the plunger 334 isextended, a light beam provided within an optical interrupter 340 is notinterrupted while if the plunger 334 is not extended the light beam isinterrupted. The optical interruption may then be detected.

FIG. 33 is a back view of another illustrative thermostat 350 thatincludes a photo-detector type jumper switch position detector. Theillustrative thermostat 350 includes a first photo detector 352 and asecond photo detector 354. As can be seen in FIG. 34A, which shows anillustrative R terminal slider 254 in a down position, the R terminalslider 254 itself has a first optical pattern represented by diagonalcross-hatching in FIG. 34A. An area 356 of the wall mountable connectorhousing proximate the R terminal slider 254 may have a second opticalpattern represented by horizontal cross-hatching. When the jumper (e.g.R terminal slider 254) is in a first position, as represented by FIG.34A, the first photo detector 352 sees the first optical pattern on theR terminal slider 254 while the second photo detector 354 sees thesecond optical pattern on the wall mountable connector housing in area356. When the jumper (e.g. R terminal slider 254) is in a secondposition, as represented by FIG. 34B, the first photo detector 352 andthe second photo detector 354 both see the first optical pattern on theR terminal slider 254. A controller of the thermostat 350, which iscoupled to the first photo detector 352 and the second photo detector354, may then determine the position of the jumper (e.g. R terminalslider 254) of the wall mountable connector 84 based on the detectedoptical patterns.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an illustrative thermostat 360 shown inposition relative to an illustrative wall covering plate 362. In somecases, the thermostat 360 may be securable to a wall mountable connector84. The wall covering plate 362 may be secured to the wall 372 aroundthe wall mountable connector 84, as shown in FIG. 36. The illustrativewall covering plate may include a substrate 364 having a back surface366 that is configured to be secured to a wall 372 and an opposing frontsurface 368. An opening 370 may be formed through the substrate 364 thatis configured to fit around the wall mountable connector 84, meaningthat the wall covering plate 362 may be secured to the wall 372 evenafter the wall mountable connector 84 has been mounted to the wall 372.In some cases, the substrate 364 is thin enough to fit between the wall372 and a back surface of a connected thermostat, such as the thermostat360, without interfering with any electrical and/or mechanicalconnections between the wall mountable connector 84 and the thermostat360. In some cases, the wall covering plate 362 may have a thicknessthat ranges from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm, at least in the regionthat falls between the wall 372 and the thermostat 360. As can be seenin FIG. 35, for example, the wall covering plate 362 may have a lengthand/or a width that is larger than corresponding dimensions of thethermostat 360 such that the wall covering plate 362 may cover wallblemishes or the like.

In some cases, as seen in FIGS. 37A-37C, the wall covering plate 362 mayinclude an adhesive layer 374 that is disposed on the back surface 366.In some cases, the adhesive layer 374 may follow a perimeter of the backsurface 366, but this is not required. If an adhesive layer 374 ispresent, a backer layer 380 may be disposed over the back surface 366and the adhesive layer 374 to protect the adhesive layer 374 untilinstallation. In other cases, no adhesive is used, and instead the wallcovering plate 362 may form a frictional fit with the wall mountableconnector 84. In some cases, the wall covering plate 362 may simply becaptured between the wall 372 and a back of the thermostat 360. In somecases, the substrate 364 may be polymeric. In some cases, the substrate364 may be flexible.

FIG. 38 is a front view of the adapter plate 86, illustrating howinclusion of a plurality of junction box mounting apertures provideflexibility in securing the adapter plate 86 to a variety of differentjunction box configurations. For example, mounting apertures 400 and 402may be used to secure the adapter plate 86 to a single-wide junction boxthat is situated in a vertical orientation. For securing the adapterplate 86 to a single-wide junction box that is situated in a horizontalorientation (probably less likely than the vertical orientation),mounting apertures 404 and 406 may be utilized. For securing the adapterplate 86 to a double-wide (or square) junction box, mounting apertures408, 410, 412 and 414 may be used. By providing these various mountingapertures, a single adapter plate 86 may be used in a variety ofdifferent installations.

FIGS. 39 and 40 illustrate efficiently locating a printed circuit boardwithin a thermostat via alignment of the pins extending from the printedcircuit board and through apertures within a rear surface of thethermostat. FIG. 39 is an exploded rear perspective view of anillustrative thermostat housing 500 in combination with a printedcircuit board 502, while FIG. 40 shows a back view of the assembly. Theprinted circuit board 502 includes a first pin header 504 and a firstrow 506 of terminal pins that are disposed in the first pin header 504.The illustrative printed circuit board 502 also includes a second pinheader 508 and a second row 510 of terminal pins that are disposed inthe second pin header 508. As seen in FIG. 40, the thermostat housing500 includes a first row of apertures 512 that are configured toaccommodate the first row 506 of terminal pins and a second row ofapertures 514 that are configured to accommodate the second row 510 ofterminal pins.

In some cases, the first row of apertures 512 may include a lateralalignment aperture 516 that is configured to provide a tighter fit witha corresponding one of the first row 506 of terminal pins in order toprovide a lateral alignment of the printed circuit board 502 relative tothe thermostat housing 500. In some cases, the lateral alignmentaperture 516 may have a smaller dimension (e.g. diameter) than other ofthe apertures. In some cases, the first row of apertures 512 may includea rotational alignment aperture 518. In some instances, the rotationalalignment aperture 518 may have a narrowed dimension in a firstdimension (e.g. left-right) and a wider dimension in an orthogonaldirection (e.g. up-down). In some cases, the rotational alignmentaperture 518 may be oblong or elliptical in shape. The rotationalalignment aperture 518 may be configured to provide a tighter fit withanother of the first row 506 of terminal pins in order to provide arotational alignment of the printed circuit board 502 relative to thethermostat housing 500.

In some cases, the wider dimension in the orthogonal direction mayreduce stress applied to the corresponding terminal pin when assemblingthe printed circuit board 502 with the thermostat housing 500 and/orduring subsequent use. In some cases, the remainder of the first row ofapertures 512, apart from the lateral alignment aperture 516 and therotational alignment aperture 518, may be dimensioned looser, relativeto a diameter of the terminal pins, in order to reduce stress duringassembly and/or use. Thus, in some cases, the remainder of the first rowof apertures 512 and/or the second row of apertures 514, may havediameters that exceed the diameters of the terminal pins. In some cases,as illustrated, the lateral alignment aperture 516 may be located at thetop of the first row of apertures 512 while the rotational alignmentaperture 518 may be located at the bottom of the first row of apertures512. In some instances, the lateral alignment aperture 516 and/or therotational alignment aperture 518 may be located in other positions withthe first row of apertures 512 and/or the second row of apertures 514.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure maybe manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodimentsdescribed and contemplated herein. Accordingly, departure in form anddetail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure as described in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall mountable connector assembly comprising:an adapter plate configured to be secured relative to a wall, theadapter plate further configured to accommodate a plurality of fieldwires exiting the wall; a wall mountable connector having a first sidefor facing the wall and a second opposing side, the wall mountableconnector configured to be secured to the adapter plate with the firstside of the wall mountable connector positioned adjacent the adapterplate, the wall mountable connector including a field wiring connectionblock that is configured to provide an electrical connection to theplurality of field wires and a thermostat terminal block that isconfigured to provide an electrical connection to a thermostat to beconnected to the wall mountable connector; and a wall covering plateincluding a wall mountable connector aperture that is sized to allow thewall covering plate to be slipped over the second opposing side of thewall mountable connector and down to the adapter plate, wherein the wallcovering plate is configured to be secured to the adapter plate.
 2. Thewall mountable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapter plateis configured to be secured to an in-wall junction box, with theplurality of field wires extending through the in-wall junction box. 3.The wall mountable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapterplate is configured to be secured directly to the wall over a wallaperture through which the plurality of field wires exit the wall. 4.The wall mountable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapterplate comprises a raised portion that mirrors a perimeter of the wallmountable connector and raises the wall mountable connector a distance.5. The wall mountable connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the adapterplate comprises one or more slots disposed proximate the raised portion,and the wall covering plate comprises one or more corresponding tabsthat provide a frictional fit within the one or more slots to secure thewall covering plate to the adapter plate.
 6. The wall mountableconnector assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall covering plate isconfigured to be releasably securable to the adapter plate, such thatthe wall covering plate can be removed from the adapter plate, leavingthe wall mountable connector in place.
 7. The wall mountable connectorassembly of claim 1, wherein the wall covering plate has a length andwidth sufficient to cover the adapter plate.
 8. The wall mountableconnector assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall covering plate has arear portion that is configured to fit over the adapter plate.
 9. Thewall mountable connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall coveringplate has a front recess that is sized to permit at least part of athermostat to set into the front recess.
 10. The wall mountableconnector assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall mountable connectorcomprises a standardized mechanical connection between the wallmountable connector and each thermostat in a line of compatiblethermostats, and further comprises a standardized electrical connectionbetween the wall mountable connector and each thermostat in the line ofcompatible thermostats.
 11. A wall covering plate for use in combinationwith a wall mountable connector that is mountable to an adapter plate,the wall covering plate configured to fit behind a thermostat that isconnectable to the wall mountable connector, the wall covering platecomprising: a back portion that is sized and configured to fit over anadapter plate such that an outer perimeter of the back portion hides theadapter plate from view; and an wall mountable connector aperture formedthrough the wall covering plate, the wall mountable connector apertureextending through the back portion and sized and configured toaccommodate the wall mountable connector extending through the wallmountable connector aperture such that the wall covering plate can besecured relative to the adaptor plate after the wall mountable connectorhas been installed.
 12. The wall covering plate of claim 11, wherein theback portion of the wall covering plate includes tabs that areconfigured to fit into corresponding slots disposed on either side ofthe adapter plate in order to secure the wall covering plate to theadapter plate.
 13. The wall covering plate of claim 11, wherein the wallmountable connector aperture provides a frictional fit with the wallmountable connector in order to secure the wall covering plate inposition against the wall.
 14. The wall covering plate of claim 11,wherein the wall covering plate is secured in position against the wallat least in part by virtue of being captured between the wall and a backof the thermostat secured to the wall mountable connector.
 15. The wallcovering plate of claim 11, wherein the wall covering plate is rigid.16. A mounting assembly for securing a thermostat to a wall, themounting assembly comprising: an adapter plate configured to be securedrelative to a wall, the adapter plate further configured to accommodatea plurality of field wires exiting the wall; a wall mountable connectorconfigured to be secured to the adapter plate, the wall mountableconnector including a field wiring connection block that is configuredto provide an electrical connection to the plurality of field wires anda thermostat terminal block that provides an electrical connectionbetween individual terminals of the field wiring connection block and athermostat to be connected to the wall mountable connector; and a wallcovering plate including a wall mountable connector aperture that issized and configured to enable the wall covering plate to fit over thewall mountable connector after the wall mountable connector is securedto the adapter plate and be secured to the adapter plate.
 17. Themounting assembly of claim 16, wherein the adapter plate is configuredto be secured to an in-wall junction box.
 18. The mounting assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the adapter plate is configured to be secured directlyto the wall.
 19. The mounting assembly of claim 16, wherein the wallcovering plate is releasably securable to the adapter plate, such thatthe wall covering plate can be removed from the adapter plate, leavingthe wall mountable connector in place.
 20. The mounting assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the wall covering plate has a length and width thatare sized and configured to cover wall blemishes remaining from previousthermostat installations.